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Gundlah Dental Center receives Give Kids A Smile Award

Posted on: 02/26/2010

Some underprivileged Cattaraugus County children will soon be able to obtain preventative dental care and education on proper oral hygiene through a $5,000 Give Kids A Smile Award given to Olean General Hospital’s Gundlah Dental Center to purchase portable equipment.

The Gundlah Dental Center, located in the Dialysis/Health Services Building at 623 Main St. in Olean, received the award from the New York State Dental Foundation to provide exams, preventative dental care, apply sealants and offer education on oral hygiene to underprivileged children between the ages of 5 and 14.

“This award will enable the Gundlah Dental Center to acquire a portable dental chair, stool, lights, a vacuum, dental supplies and educational material so we can provide a school-based program in Cattaraugus County,” said Gregory McCraith, D.D.S., Chief of Dental Medicine at the Gundlah Dental Center.

Once the Gundlah Dental Center acquires the portable dental equipment, Dr. McCraith said the Give Kids A Smile program will start in three months at a school in the county.

“This is a chance to provide preventative dental care to underprivileged children who may not receive it otherwise,” Dr. McCraith said. “With this portable dental equipment we’ll be able to go directly to a school to provide preventative dental care and education so these children can maintain healthy smiles throughout their lifetime.”

Dental hygienist Amy Wass of the Gundlah Dental Center will serve as the program’s coordinator.

Gundlah Denter Center office supervisor Colette McCaslin was credited by Dr. McCraith for helping assemble the necessary information which led to the New York State Dental Foundation award.

Olean General Hospital officials said they were appreciative of Donna Kahm, Chief Operating Officer of Southern Tier Health Care Inc., for nominating the Gundlah Dental Center for the award.

“The New York State Dental Foundation has one basic mission: to improve the oral care of all New Yorkers, particularly those most at risk for disease,” said Foundation Executive Director Laura Leon.

“Our Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) award honors and supports community health organizations which strive to care for underserved children, not just on GKAS Day in February, but every day of the year. The Gundlah Dental Center is such a place and we were particularly impressed with its community outreach components. Clearly, the Gundlah Dental Center is a shining example which other organizations can and should emulate,” Ms. Leon said.

To make a dental appointment at the Gundlah Dental Center, call 375-7300, or for more information about services go online at www.ogh.org.